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Victoria records 510 new local Covid-19 cases, baby aged under one in intensive

Jack PaynterNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: News Corp Australia

A Victorian baby aged under one is seriously ill battling coronavirus in intensive case.

Health Minister Martin Foley revealed the baby was one of the 208 Victorians in hospital on Friday with Covid-19 as the state’s outbreak continues to worsen.

He said he didn’t know if the baby had any underlying health conditions and didn’t provide any further information on the young child’s condition.

Of the 208 Victorians in hospital with the virus, 49 were in intensive care and 32 needed ventilation.

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Mr Foley said 87 per cent of the Covid patients in hospital were not vaccinated, 12 per cent were partially vaccinated and two had received both doses.

“We’ve got a few kids in ICU at the moment. We’ve got a baby in ICU. It’s not as if it doesn’t happen,” he said.

“I’m reassured that it’s not as dreadful an infection as it is for older people, but it still happens.”

The outbreak continues to hit Victoria’s younger population the worst, with 85 per cent of the state’s active cases younger than 50 and almost one-quarter of cases people aged in their 20s.

Victoria recorded 510 new locally acquired Covid-19 infections on Friday as new cases continue to rise throughout lockdown.

COVID-19 UPDATE PRESSER
Camera IconVictorian Health Minister Martin Foley said a baby was in intensive care with Covid. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia

It’s the sixth straight day Victoria has recorded more than 400 new cases and second in a row above 500 as infections continue to trend upwards.

One new death was also announced on Friday.

Nine people have now died with Covid during the latest outbreak, with 829 lives lost since the start of the pandemic.

Another 386 mystery infections were also revealed in Friday’s figures, with only 124 of the new cases linked to existing outbreaks.

Contact tracers have been battling against a tide of mystery infections as the outbreak escalated over the past week.

COVID MELBOURNE
Camera IconFully vaccinated Melburnians will be allowed to gather outdoors in groups of up to five from two households on Saturday. NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett Credit: News Corp Australia

More than 1610 mystery cases have been recorded since Monday – 68 per cent of the total 2365 infections announced.

The health department did not say how many cases were in isolation during their infectious period.

Despite the rising cases, people living in locked-down Melbourne and Ballarat will be able to enjoy extra freedoms from Saturday.

Melburnians will be able to leave home for “outdoor social interaction” after the state hit its 70 per cent first-dose vaccination target a week early.

The new measure will kick in from 11.59pm on Friday, just in time for the weekend.

COVID-19 UPDATE PRESSER
Camera IconPremier Daniel Andrews announced the changes to restrictions. NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia

It means one person may meet another person not from their household for a picnic, a walk or other outdoor activity.

Up to five adults and children from two households may gather outdoors if all adults are fully vaccinated.

Premier Daniel Andrews also revealed the 5km travel limit would be increased to 10km and the time allowed for outdoor exercise would double from two to four hours per day.

One new case was recorded in hotel quarantine on Friday. More than 18,530 primary close contacts remain in isolation in Victoria.

There are now 4697 active cases in the state.

jack.paynter@news.com.au

Originally published as Victoria records 510 new local Covid-19 cases, baby aged under one in intensive

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